Ulm Munster

Ulm is known for having the world's tallest church steeple (530 ft.) and for being the birthplace of Albert Einstein. We first saw the steeple from the train while we were traveling to Munich for Easter and decided we had to return to see more if it. On Sunday (April 22), we did.

The munster (cathedral) in the rain. It poured for most of the day, which is why we did not climb the 768 steps to the top of the steeple. On a clear day, you can apparently see the Alps...but not today! Construction of the church began in 1377.

The tower was built in two stages - the lower three stories constructed over the course of a hundred years (1392-1492), with the upper part of the tower being completed between 1885 and 1890.

The locals were having a beer fest next the the cathedral, along with a band and lots of good German wurst. Unfortunately, attendance was slim due to the weather.
Below are interior views of the cathedral. 

According to legend, construction of the spire of the Ulm Munster was halted while only halfway completed when a wagon carrying a large wooden beam - loaded sideways - arrived at the narrow city gate. After contemplating how best to proceed, the mayor of Ulm gave the order to tear down part of the city wall, but before the order was carried our, a sparrow-like bird was observed maneuvering a long twig into its nest - lengthwise! Following the lead of the sparrow, the beam was turned, the wagon passed through the narrow gate, work was resumed, the cathedral was completed, and the legend of the Ulmer Spätze was born. Here is a stone version of the sparrow in the cathedral; there are lots of other birds like this all over Ulm.

We walked along the city walls, which border the Danube. As with many other German cities, this medieval city was destroyed and rebuilt several times after being invaded by the French, the Austrians, and the Bavarians. The majority of the old town was destroyed by bombs during WW2. It's a miracle that the munster was not hit!

Standing on the city wall, we took this picture of the butcher's tower, built in the 14th century. When it started to pour again, we took shelter in the arch.

Town hall, which has some beautiful murals dating from the 16th century. 

The Fischerviertel (fisherman's quarters) has some lovely old half-timbered houses dating from the 15th-16th century. 

Part of the Fischerviertel. 

The Schiefes House (crooked house), which is in the Guinness Book of World Records as the oldest continually operational guest house.